The resort in Kalinga where a nurse died after falling from a zipline is not accredited to offer such amenity, the Department of Tourism-Cordillera said.
DOT-CAR Director Jovita Ganongan said the accreditation issued by the DOT to the resort does not include a zipline.
Ganongan said the DOT is waiting for the investigation report to determine accountability and liability then they will issue a Notice to Explain.
“If there will be clear violations of their compliance to accreditation standards on safety then we can recommend cancellation of their certificate and/or closure”.
Ganongan was referring to the incident on June 12 that went viral on social media when a nurse fell from the zipline, dropped on the pavement, and later declared dead in a hospital.
She said before a DOT accreditation is issued to a tourism-oriented establishment it must first conform to the standards in terms of facilities, and service, especially safety.
“It is the government’s way of assuring that the tourist destinations that people go to are meeting industry standards”, Ganongan said.
She said deviation from what has been approved must be subject to succeeding processes, especially adventure challenge activities that are in itself risky.
Based on the police report, the incident happened around 4 p.m. at L&C Resort in Sitio Gapang, Barangay Bagumbayan, Tabuk City, Kalinga.
Investigating officer Lt. Ryan Antonio, in a report said nurse Paul Herbert Gaayon, 31, of Purok 5, Bulanao Centro, Tabuk City, went for a second attempt at the zipline after he was unsuccessful on his first try.
Gaayon lost his grip on the handle of the zipline even before he could launch himself to the slide where he was supposed to land in the swimming pool.
Gaayon was declared dead by Dr. Bernard Wandaga at the hospital. – PNA
